1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stern
John Carlisle, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All of this would happen while members of the Field School staff were holding the shark in place—larger ones on a platform at the stern of the Garvin, smaller ones brought on board.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
In 1987–88, after protests in Lhasa spiraled into street violence, the Dalai Lama issued a stern warning to his fellow Tibetans to remain peaceful.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
The windows and railings along the bow were broken by the out-rushing water, and the back end was draped in blue tarps that covered gaping holes in the stern.
—John Carlisle, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All of this would happen while members of the Field School staff were holding the shark in place—larger ones on a platform at the stern of the Garvin, smaller ones brought on board.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Noun
But after nabbing the part of the stern hotel manager Valentina in the second season of The White Lotus (2022), Impacciatore was launched into Hollywood fame.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
In 1987–88, after protests in Lhasa spiraled into street violence, the Dalai Lama issued a stern warning to his fellow Tibetans to remain peaceful.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
At too many colleges, leaders have been reluctant to impose strict rules or harsh penalties for chatbot use, passing the buck to professors to come up with their own policies.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Its 15 rooms are each decorated with subtle nods to the inn’s colonial past—from small fireplaces to original wood beams—while still having all the modern comforts travelers have come to expect.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the face of fierce opposition, Lyles supported bringing the Republican National Convention to Charlotte in 2020 — standing on her commitment to represent the entire city as mayor.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In Paradise Bay, competition is fierce to attract high-end clientele and the standout offering at Maxx Royal is its two-story, 5,750-square-meter spa.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But in recent years, acts of brazen violence have been the grim drumbeat of a debased national politics.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Despite that progress, pancreatic cancer holds the grim record for having a survival rate of only 13% across five years – the lowest of all.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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